Trap



Jan. i6, i923, LMZQ L. c. sCHNElDER.

TRAP.

Fr LED FEB, l 1 921 2 SHEETS-SHEET I f77 TURA/EVS L. C. SCHNEIDER.

TRAP. Fl LED vFers l 921 2 SHEETS-SHEET 2 IN VEN TOI? Patented dan. i6, 1923.

tlhll ares LEOPOLD C. SCHNEIDER), OF GLENSIDE, PENNSYLVANA.

TRAP.

Application filed February l, 1921. Serial No. 441,548.

To NZZ w 710m it may] Con-cern Be it known that l. lnzormn C. .tici-Inni- Dnn, a citizen oit the United States. and a resident oi' Glenside, county ot' lvlontgomery. andtate oit' Pennsylvania, `have invented certain new and uset'ul lniprorements in Traps, of which the following is a specification, reference being; had to the accompanying drawings.

limone; the principal objects ot my in- 'Yention is to provide an animal trap of compact torni and simple construction and employing` a double spring7 that is, a spring simultaneously cooperative with both sides of the j aws which may he manufactured in all the usual commercial sizes. as hitherto the employment ot a double spring' in animal traps has been restricted to the larger sizes, ithaving` been found impraeticaliile to utilize such springs in the smaller size of traps. Further objects oi' my invention are to provide an animal trap inwhich the means operative to hold the jaw of tie trap open or in set position is greatly siinpliiied over the means hitherto employed for that purpose and in which the dog carried by and movable with the pan or pedal is directly cooperative with suitable means carried by one or' the jaws, thereby entirely eliminating' the use of the usual trigger.

`Still further objects ot my invention are to provide a trap oit the character aforesaid in which both jaws are mounted on the saine pivot and revolve upon the same aXis thereby permitting' the jaws to he toldcd over and secured in a convenient position for the transportation of the trap as hereinafter more Jfully explained.

lll-y invention Vfurther contemplates the arrangement of' the pan or pedal of the trap in a relatively low position with respect to the plane ot the jaws when the trap is set; simplification of the cross arm and arrangement` of the same and adjacent parts so as to minimize the possibility ot the trap becoming inoperative through freezing or the accumula-tion of snow or foreign matter in the vicinity of the cross arm, and further contemplates the utilization ot a preferred t'ormy of jaw whereby the chance of escape of an animal from the trap once it has been caught therein is substantially eliminated.

My invention further includes all of the other various objects and novel features of construction and arrangement hereinafter more deinitely specified and described.

lu the accompanying drawings I have illustrated certain embodiments ot my in- `volition. Fig'. l being a plan View oit a preferred form ot trap in set position and Fing. a Vertical section. partially in elevation, substantially on the line 2 2 in Fig. l. Fig. 9) is a View in side elevation ot the trap in sprung` position and 4l a similar View in partial vertical section, several oit the parts being shown in elevation. Fig. 5 is a top plan view ot the trap with both jaws folded down into a convenient position for carrying, the trap chain hemp: wrapped about the jaws and sprine in order to hold the AFormer in place.. and G is a Vert-ical sectional rien' thereoi with certain parts shown in elevation. Fig. 7 is a Ylrapanentary perspective View ot' a portion o" one oi: the jaws; Figi. 8 a tragmentary top plan view ot the development or a portion of the spring base, and Fig. 9 a View Similar to S but showing' a slightly modified form oi construction. Like numerals are employed to designate corresponding parts in the several figures.

Bis shown in the drawings, the trap coinprises a pair or complementary oppositely disposed jaws 2./ 3, the former being conveniently rcrerred to as the 'free The ljaws are oil' any suitable torni hut are pret erably substantially semi-circular or rresi'ent shaped. the ends ol: one ot the jaws. as for example the tree jaw. being' inwardly oi'i'set. and the ends et the other aw outwardly oilset and the several ends provided with suitable apertures tor the passage of horizontally disposed pivots 5. 6. which also extend through suitahle ape res termed in the enlarged and preferably transversely flattened or the vertically etendirrgr jaw supL 7 and S, the pivots heing headed over or otherwise prevented from longitudinal displacement. lt will he evident that the offsetting of the jaws adjacent the pivots effective to permit the main portions of the jaws to rest in alignment with each other Ywhen the jaws are closed in 8 and il. while permitting the tree jaw to he- Folded over on top ot the other into the position shown in Figs. 5 and 6 when desired.

The pivot supports 7 and S are respectively carried adjacent the outer extremities of the spring hase 10 which is toi-med of spring steel or other tempered sheet metal ordinarily by a stamping or similar opera tion, and preferably generally follows in plenary outline the configuration oi the jaws, although of considerably greater transverse width at any given point than the jaw at a corresponding point. The pivot supports are rigidly operatively secured to the spring l base in any suitable wayj conveniently by Jforming the supports of reduced diameter for a portion ot their length so as to torni a shoulder on each support which can be drawn down on the upper surface ot the spring base, which is provided with a suitable aperture for the passage of the support, by means of a nut l2 threaded onto the lower end of the support which extends through Vthe spring base. Such an arrangement permits convenient removal ot the supports from the spring base, but any other suitable means tor positioning the supports upon the spring base may be employed if desired.

Superimposed on the spring base, and in certain constructions formed integral therewith and in others suitably secured theretoj is the spring l5 which is preferably substantially similar in planary outline to the spring base and provided adjacent its Free extremities 16 with preferably slightly elongated apertures 17 through which the jaws extend, these apertures being ol a length to engage the outer sides or edges ot the aws when the trap is sprung to hold the latter in closed position as best shown in Fig. 4) and of suiiicient width to readily pass over the extremities of the pivots 5 and 6 during the operation of setting the trap as well as during the closing movement of the jaws. The

extensions 16 o't the spring form couven ient points for gripping the spring when compressing the same in the operation ot setting the trap.

In the forni of the invention shown in Figs. l to S inclusive the spring is iloruied separately 'from the spring base l0 and secured thereto adjacent its center, that is, substantially equidistant from its ends. iu any suitable manner as by the rivets l) passing through suitable apertures 2l formed in the spring base and corresponding apertures in the spring, the planary outlines ot the jaws the spring, and the spring base being preferably` as already stated,` substantially similar, so that when the `jaw 3 is turned down adjacent the upper sur- Aface of the spring when the trap is set these several parts will vhave a generally similar contour as clearly shown inFigs. l to 5, this similarity however being unnecessary lor the successful operation of the trap, so that it desired in certain constructions these several parts may be made of different contours.

The spring base l() is preferably iared or bent slightly outwardly and downwardly in opposite directions from the point adjacent the rivets 19, that is, from the center, and

the spring l5 is substantially correspondingly bent or flared upwardly and outwardly from a corresponding; point as most clearly shown in Fig. 3, the parts being so termed and secured together that the spring when in the position shown in said figure will be substantially relieved from tension and that when it is forced or compressed downwardly to substantially the position shown in Fig. 2, as when t-.he trap is set1 will be under maximuin compression and in a position to torce the aws strongly together when it is released and springs upwardly;

Means are provided for holding the jaw 3 in substantially parallel relation with the spring base and spring' when the trap is set, said means comprising a dog pivotally supported on a suitable cross arm and a lug' carried by the jaw 3 and co-operative with the dogr` the position of the latter being controlled by the position ot' the pan or pedal on which the animal steps to spring the trap. More particularly the cross arm preferably comprises an inwardly directed base 20 conveniently 'formed integrally with the spring base when the latter is stan'iped out and which carries a pair of oppositely laterally directed ears 22 which are turned up at right angles to the plane of the base 20a-nd provided with apertures 23 'for the passage of a pivot pin QAon which an arm 25 is rotatably carried. This arm is riveted or otherwise suitably secured to the pan 27 which is positioned within the area bounded by the aws when open and between and spaced from the pivot supports 5 and 6. The arm 25 is provided with an overhanging dog 28 beneath which is adapted to engage the tree end of a lug 30 carried by the jaw 3 and either formed integrally therewith or separately therefrom and suitably secured thereto, the co-acting tacos of the dog and the lug being so formed that when the jaw is depressed to a position substantially parallel to the spring base7 the dog may be slipped over the edge of the lug to retain the jaw in such position against the resistance ot the spring l5 until a pressure is applied to the pan sufficient to move the arm slightly about the pivot 24 and release the dog `from engagement with the lug. It will of course be understood that the several parts just described are so proportionedand adjusted that a relatively slight pressure on the pan is sutlicient to release the dog and permit the jaw 3 to move upwardly under the influence of the spring, the free jaw which when the trap is set7 is manually depressed to a posit-.ion substantially parallel with the jaw 3 also simultaneously moving upwardly under' the action of the spring.

For the purpose of securing the trap to a log, stake or the like I may provide the same with a chain and attach one end of the same to the trap by means of a swivel tesaeee which entends through an aperture 57 formed in a lug 3S preferably integral with and extending outwardly from thespring base, the outer end of the lug being turned up substantially at right angles thereto. I prefer to form this lug during the operation oit stamping out the spring base in the mannershown in Fig. 8. i s

A .particular advant ee presented by :i trap termed as herein described resides in the Jfact that after the jaw has been depressed into set" positionand the dog 2o engaged with the lug 30, the `tree jaw E2 may be folded over against the jaw 3 and beth jaws secured in this position by winding` the chain about them, the spring and the spring base as indicated in 5, in which the chain is shown as having been carried twice around the parts. Iok hold the chain in its wrapped position I' preferably attach at a suitable point in the same a hook or catch e@ adapted to `hook intothe wrapped portion of the chain and prevent it from slipping out of its wrapped position. The trap may thus be reduced to very compact forml for transportation or shipment, while in the case ot large traps the springs ot' which are so powerful as to require some means' other than manual for their compression in sett-ing the trap, the latter may be set at some convenient point, the chain wrapped about the jaws and the trap transportedl in setl condition to the place where it is to be used thereby avoiding the necessity of carrying thel 'mechanical spring compressor to such point. Just before placing the trap in position the chain is unwound, the tree jaw turned baclrto the position shown in F ig. 2 and the trap is then ready for use.

While the particular form and construe'- tion ot'the jaws may be 'varied to suit conditions Yfound in practice or the peculiarities ot the particular animal for the capture of which the trap is designed, I prefer, under ordinary conditions and in order to, secure a maximum holding power and prevent the escape of an animal caught in. the trap by pulling its 'foot from between the jaws atter gna-wing off that portion ot the toot projecting lbelow them, to utilize jaws ot' substantially the form shown in the drawings. The major portion ot' each of such jaws, that is, the portionv extending above the offsets, is of substantially V-shaped transverse section with the open end of the V directed toward the opposite jaw, the lower wall of the V being slightly shorter than the upper, so that when both jaws are closed and in the position shown in Fig. 4, their upper edges will contact and their lower edges be spaced slightly apart leaving a substantially diamond shaped opening 45 in the interior of the jaws. It will be understood that this cavity is of greater size adj acent the center of the jaws and gradually diminishes toward their extremities so that at some point 5l more or less adjacent the offset portions oi the jaws the car' disappears entirely, lllfhen the leg or root ot an animal is caught between a pair of jaws ot this Lharacter, the flesh rapidly swells within the cavity and thereby prevents the animal from withdrawing his foot 'from the jaws even though he should gnaw oil that portion thereolZ projecting below them.

lWhile I have hitherto referred more particularly to a form of the invention in which the springs and spring base are 'formed separately and secured together by rivets or otherwise, in Fig. 9 I have shown a slightly modified construction in which both oit these parts are stamped out unitarily from a single sheet ot' metal, the spring base l0 and spring l5 in the 'flat blank thus formed being joined along the line A-A and extending outwardly in opposite directions therefrom. After the blank has been formed in this manner, the spring is bent over along the line rfb-A to the desired superposed position above the spring base and it desired, for the purpose oli holding the parts more securely in position, rivets may be inserted through the apertures 2l formed inthe spring and in the spring' base and which are arranged to coincide when the former is turned over on the latter. During the stamping operation or at any other suitable time a suitably shaped cut 53 may be made inthe blank so as to define av lug 37 which, after the spring isturned over on the spring blank, be turned up into vertical position for the attachment or' the chain swivel 36.r

It will bel evident that a 'further advantage of my improved trap arises from the elimination ot theA usual loose tri ger which in traps as ordinarily constructed is arranged to extend over the. upper tace oli the jaw to engage the dog when the trap is set, and consequently must be. thrown forcibly upwardly and rearwardly as the subjacent jaw starts to when the trap is sprung; a condition which frequently result-s inthe trigger throwing the anin'ials toot upwardly out ot reach ot the jaws, especially when the animal steps on the pan from the direction ot the trigger. In my improved trap, however, since there is no part whatsoever overlying the open jaws, their prompt and rapid closure is never impeded and no matter how, or from what direction, the animal steps on the pan, the operation of the trap is the same and the liability of the foot being thrown out when the trap is sprung is entirely obvia-ted.

While I have herein described with considerable particularity certain embodiments of my invention, I do not thereby desire or intend to limit myseli to any precise details of construction and arrangement of parts as' suitable changes and modifications may be made therein, and the particular form oi jaw employed may be variedA as desired or a plain jaw substituted for the preferred form which l have illustrated, without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, l claim and desire to protect by Letters Patent of the United States:

l. An animal trap comprising' a pair of complementary jaws, a spring base in planary outline substantially similar to the general contour of each of said jaws and bent downwardly from its center toward its free ends, means for supporting said jaws for vertical movement on said base, a spring of shape substantially similar to said base fixed thereto adjacent its center and. bent upwardly therefrom vtoward its free ends, the free ends of said spring being cooperative with -the sides of said jaws, and means for holding one of' said jaws in substantially7 parallel relation with said base and agains the compression of said spring.

2. An animal trap comprising a pair of complementary jaws, a spring base in planary outline substantially similar to the shape of each of said jaws, a spring of shape substantially similar to said base, superposed thereon and secured thereto adjacent its center` the'free ends of said spring being provided with apertures for the passage of said jaws, means for pivotally supporting said jaws adjacent the ends of said base for vertical movement with respect thereto, and releasable means operative tohold one of said jaws in substantially parallel relation to said base against the compression of said spring.

3. An animal trap having a pair of com plementary jaws, an end of one of said jaws being inwardly offset and an end of the other jaw being outwardly offset, a spring base having the general shape of each ot said jaws, means for supporting said jaws on said base for pivotal movement with respect thereto, said means comprising a single pivot for the adjacent ends of both ot said jaws, a spring superimposed on said base, lined thereto at its center and having Jfree ends cooperative with said jaws, the iree ends of the spring and of the base being respectively bent in opposite directions; means 'for holding one of said jaws in fixed position against the compression ot said spring and a chain lattached to said base,the other jaw being adapted to be o-lded down on said irst mentioned jaw when said latter is held by said means and retained in such position by wrapping said chain around the jaws and said spring and base adjacent the center thereof.

4:. An animal trap comprising a spring base having free spaced downwardly di rected ends, a pivot support adjacent each of said ends, a pivot extending through said support, a pair oi complementary jaws having their ends respectively oiiset to permit said ends to be disposed on opposite sides to said pivot supports and upon said pivots, a spring superposed on said base, xed thereto at its center and having `free upwardly directedv ends cooperative with the opposite sides of both of said jaws, and means operative to hold one of said jaws in substantially parallel vrelation to said spring base and against the compression of said spring, the other jaw adapted to be turned down on said first mentioned jaw when said latter is restrained from movement by said means.`

5. An animal trap comprising a pair of v complementary jaws, a spring base having the general contour 'of each of said jaws and having downwardly liared ends, means for pivotally supporting the ends of said jaws adjacent the ends of said base, a spring having the general shape oiz said base, superposed thereon, secured thereto at its center and having upwardly flared spaced free ends extending upwardly in angular relation with said base when said spring is relieved `trom compression, each of said ends having an aperture for the passage of said jaws, and means for releasably holding one o' said jaws in substantially parallel. relation with said `base and against the compression of said spring, said means comprising a` lug carried by said jaw and a movable dog cooperative therewith, the opposite jaw being adapted when said irst mentioned jaw is held by said means to be manually turned down against said jaw or to be turned in the opposite direction away from said jaw into a position substantially parallel thereto. v i

In witness whereof, l have hereunto set my hand thisv 27th day of January A. D.

LEOPOLD C. SCHNEIDER. 

